Spiritual Practice 1: Centering Prayer
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In this video, Craig Pesti-Strobel explains and demonstrates the practice of Centering Prayer, which forms the foundation for all the JP21 Spiritual Practices. No gimmicks or apps are needed, simply yourself and a period of silence to nestle down into the great Love that is at the center of the Universe. |
Centering in God, Centering in Love
Centering Prayer is an ancient practice of corralling our scattered and restless thoughts, allowing them to rest for a bit, and then allowing the heart and mind to rest in the loving presence of God.
Stillness does not come easily to us.
It takes practice. Practice. Practice.
Fortunately, that is all it takes. No gimmicks. No special attachments. You don’t even need to download an app. You just need yourself, and a space apart. Here are the very simple steps to follow:
Centering Prayer forms the basis of all the Spiritual Life Practices in JP21 and the JP21 Via Vida. It is the crucible in which we will bring the broken, bruised, battered, belittled, and berated pieces of our lives to be reformed, transformed, and conformed to the Divine Image which is our truest and deepest Self. This prayer will work to expand our consciousness into the Bigger Mind, Bigger Heart, Bigger World, and Bigger Life that is the Path of Jesus for the 21st Century.
Practice this prayer daily, and experience the slow, steady changes God wishes to work in your heart, mind, and life as you learn to listen at the deepest places within you.
Here are links to other websites describing and explaining Centering Prayer:
Centering Prayer is an ancient practice of corralling our scattered and restless thoughts, allowing them to rest for a bit, and then allowing the heart and mind to rest in the loving presence of God.
Stillness does not come easily to us.
It takes practice. Practice. Practice.
Fortunately, that is all it takes. No gimmicks. No special attachments. You don’t even need to download an app. You just need yourself, and a space apart. Here are the very simple steps to follow:
- Sit upright in a centered and balanced posture
- Use a short phrase of your own choice, perhaps from the scripture reading that is provided for each lesson, or a phrase that speaks your heart’s desire to deepen in the Way of Jesus, e.g., “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” Or it can be a simpler phrase or single word, such as “Love,” “Peace,” “Love is all,” “God is love,” “Holy, holy, holy.”
- With each in-breath, silently say the first half of the phrase, and the second half on the out-breath.
- Repeat this for several minutes, slowly, gently.
- Sit in silence at the end, simply listening.
Centering Prayer forms the basis of all the Spiritual Life Practices in JP21 and the JP21 Via Vida. It is the crucible in which we will bring the broken, bruised, battered, belittled, and berated pieces of our lives to be reformed, transformed, and conformed to the Divine Image which is our truest and deepest Self. This prayer will work to expand our consciousness into the Bigger Mind, Bigger Heart, Bigger World, and Bigger Life that is the Path of Jesus for the 21st Century.
Practice this prayer daily, and experience the slow, steady changes God wishes to work in your heart, mind, and life as you learn to listen at the deepest places within you.
Here are links to other websites describing and explaining Centering Prayer:
- Contemplative Outreach: "Centering Prayer." This site is the source for authoritative instruction and background.
- The Contemplative Society: "Centering Prayer." This is another excellent site of contemplative practices.
- Father Thomas Keating introduces Centering prayer in this YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/5FWvxwfN_CE.
- This leads to the second part of the Thomas Keating introduction to Centering Prayer: https://youtu.be/pX6XtDuRaqY
- Cynthia Bourgeault teaches Centering Prayer as a foundational element in exploring the Wisdom Way of Jesus. Her teaching has influenced greatly the ideas behind JP21. Read about The Wisdom Way of Knowing: The Method and Practice of Centering Prayer.
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